Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke has unveiled proposals to improve the diversity of judicial appointments by extending flexible working arrangements to include High Court and Court of Appeal judges. The aim is to see more women appointed to senior judicial roles.

Other proposed changes in a consultation launched this week include limiting fee-paid judges to three five-year terms; allowing the lord chancellor, rather than the prime minister, to make recommendations on appointments directly to the monarch; and proposing that a lay person rather than a judge should chair selection panels for the appointment of Supreme Court judges and the lord chancellor.

Clarke said: ‘An effective justice system is a cornerstone of a civilised society. Candidates should always be assessed on merit. But swathes of talent are going untapped.’

Law Society president John Wotton said: ‘We support the measures proposed to introduce more flexible working arrangements to judges at every level, which in itself may serve to increase the diversity of the judiciary.’

A spokeswoman for the Judicial Appointments Commission said: ‘We want to see greater judicial diversity, particularly at more senior levels, and welcome the proposal to extend part-time working opportunities to High Court judges and above.’

The consultation, which closes on 13 February 2012, is at ­the justice website.